Who Sets Dog Health Testing Standards—and the Context That Shapes Them

“Health tested” has become one of the most commonly used phrases in dog breeding—but it’s also one of the least understood. Behind those tests are science-based recommendations, breed clubs, and veterinary experts working to reduce inherited disease. Understanding how these guidelines are developed—and why they vary by breed—helps put health testing claims into proper context.

This post will guide you through the basics of how health testing guidelines are created, who sets OFA requirements, what role AKC Parent Clubs play, and why breed-specific health testing matters—while also providing context for how to interpret health testing information when evaluating breeders. You’ll also learn about the CHIC program, the difference between OFA and PennHIP, and how to make sense of conflicting information. To understand what health testing claims actually mean, it helps to start with where those recommendations originate.

Who Creates Dog Health Testing Recommendations?

Most dog health testing recommendations come from AKC Parent Clubs—the national organizations dedicated to preserving and improving individual dog breeds. Because each breed has its own history, structure, and genetic background, health concerns can vary widely. Parent Clubs are uniquely positioned to identify which inherited conditions matter most for their breed.

These clubs don’t make decisions in isolation. Health committees within the Parent Clubs work alongside veterinarians, veterinary specialists, geneticists, researchers, and long-time breeders to evaluate available data. This includes published research, health surveys, open health registries, and decades of breeding outcomes. The goal is to determine which conditions are both relevant to the breed and meaningfully reducible through screening.

Recommended tests are chosen based on several factors, such as how common a condition is within the breed, how severely it impacts a dog’s quality of life, whether reliable testing exists, and whether the results can guide responsible breeding decisions. Not every possible test is included—only those that provide actionable information.

Once consensus is reached, Parent Clubs publish their health testing recommendations and update them as new research becomes available. These guidelines are often shared through the club’s website and are commonly integrated into broader health tracking systems such as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC). This transparency allows puppy buyers, breeders, and veterinarians to access consistent, breed-specific health information.

With these recommendations in place, the next question is how health testing results are collected, recorded, and made publicly accessible.

What Role Does OFA Play?

You might hear questions like “Who sets OFA requirements?” It’s important to know that OFA does not create the testing requirements. Instead, OFA acts as a central database and registry that collects, organizes, and shares health test results submitted by breeders and owners.

OFA partners with Parent Clubs to help make health information accessible and transparent. They maintain a large public database where you can look up a dog’s health records. This helps puppy buyers and breeders make informed decisions.

Some breeds also have additional guidance from universities, veterinary specialists, or working-dog organizations. These groups may recommend extra tests or alternative methods to assess health risks. While OFA hosts and organizes test results, it does not determine which tests are required for a breed.

Why Do Different Breeds Have Different Testing Requirements?

Each dog breed has its own unique genetic makeup and health concerns. For example, large breeds like German Shepherds or Golden Retrievers often face joint problems such as hip dysplasia, while smaller breeds might be more prone to heart or eye conditions. These breed differences are exactly why health testing recommendations cannot be standardized across all dogs.

Because of these differences, breed-specific health testing is essential. Parent Clubs tailor their recommendations to focus on the most relevant inherited diseases for their breed. This targeted approach helps breeders screen for the right conditions and improve the breed’s overall health.

How Parent Club Guidelines Connect to CHIC

To help track whether these breed-specific recommendations are being followed, Parent Clubs work with the Canine Health Information Center (CHIC). The Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) program defines the health tests a dog must complete—based on its AKC Parent Club’s recommendations—to receive a CHIC number. These tests vary by breed and often include evaluations such as hips, elbows, eyes, and sometimes cardiac or thyroid screening. A CHIC number indicates that the required testing has been completed and that the results are publicly available.

CHIC is designed as a participation and transparency program, not a pass–fail certification. Dogs can receive a CHIC number even if some results fall outside ideal ranges, as long as the testing is completed and disclosed. This approach encourages openness and allows breeders to make informed, breed-specific decisions rather than relying on a single threshold.

Because of this, interpreting health testing guidelines often involves looking beyond whether a dog has a CHIC number. The significance of individual results can vary by breed, by test, and by how a breeder uses that information in their breeding program. Context—such as breed norms, age at testing, recheck requirements, and pairing decisions—matters.

This is why two breeders may both follow their Parent Club’s recommendations yet appear very different on paper. Interpreting health testing information means understanding how those guidelines are applied in practice, not just whether a box has been checked.

Understanding OFA vs PennHIP and Other Testing Alternatives

One common challenge when interpreting health testing results is understanding how different testing methods may be used to meet the same guidelines. Even when breeders follow Parent Club and CHIC guidelines, they may use different approved testing methods to meet those requirements

For example, you may come across different testing options, such as OFA vs PennHIP for hip evaluation. OFA uses X-rays evaluated by radiologists to grade hip health, while PennHIP measures hip joint laxity with a different technique. Both tests provide valuable information, but they are not interchangeable.

Some breeds or Parent Clubs accept PennHIP as an alternative to OFA hips because it can detect hip problems earlier. Other tests, like specialist eye exams, may not yet be submitted to OFA but are still valid and important.

Knowing when an alternative test is appropriate depends on the breed’s guidelines and the purpose of the test. Always check what the Parent Club recommends and whether the breeder follows those guidelines.

How to Interpret Conflicting Information and What Counts as “Good Enough”

With so many systems, tests, and opinions involved, it’s understandable that puppy buyers encounter conflicting advice about which tests are necessary or whether genetic panels alone are enough. Genetic panels can screen for many inherited diseases, but they rarely cover all health risks for a breed.

Health testing recommendations usually include a combination of:

• Genetic tests for specific inherited conditions

• Physical exams like hip and elbow evaluations

• Specialist screenings such as eye or heart exams

  
  

If you find different sources giving varied advice, trust the Parent Club’s official recommendations first. They reflect the most up-to-date and breed-specific knowledge.

“Good enough” means meeting the minimum health testing requirements set by the Parent Club and ensuring your puppy’s parents have clear results for those tests. This approach reduces the risk of inherited diseases and supports responsible breeding.

What This Means for You as a Puppy Buyer

Health testing isn’t a one-size-fits-all standard, and knowing the source of these recommendations helps explain why. Different breeds face different risks, and responsible breeders tailor their testing accordingly. When you understand the reasoning behind health testing guidelines, it becomes easier to separate meaningful screening from vague claims.

For puppy buyers, health testing information can feel overwhelming at first. Understanding the role of Parent Clubs, veterinary experts, and health registries provides a framework for making sense of it all.

Interpreting how those guidelines apply in real-world breeder listings, health databases, and conversations is often where people get stuck. At Puppy Due Diligence, this is one part of the work I focus on—reviewing breed-specific health testing standards, verifying publicly available results, and translating that information into clear, practical insight so puppy buyers can evaluate breeders with confidence. If you’d like help navigating that process, you can explore my services to learn more about how I support responsible puppy searches.